North Korea accuses Trump of declaring war

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UNITED NATIONS — North Korea’s Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho on Monday accused President Donald Trump of declaring war on his country by tweeting over the weekend that North Korea “won’t be around much longer.”

“Last weekend Trump claimed that our leadership wouldn’t be around much longer and declared a war on our country,” Ri said, according to an official translation of his remarks to reporters in New York.

“Since the United States declared war on our country, we will have every right to make all self-defensive counter measures, including the right to shoot down the United States strategic bombers at any time even when they are not yet inside the aerospace border of our country.”

A White House spokesman said the Trump administration had no reaction to the comments.

The ongoing war of words between the nations saw several new fiery salvos on Saturday, a day on which the U.S. military, in a show of force, flew bombers in international airspace over waters east of North Korea.

Speaking at the U.N. on Saturday, Ri said Trump had made a missile attack on the U.S. mainland inevitable by insulting the dignity of North Korea.

“None other than Trump himself is on a suicide mission,” Ri said in a speech at the U.N. General Assembly. “In case innocent lives of the U.S. are harmed because of this suicide attack, Trump will be held totally responsible.”

Trump took on Twitter on Saturday night to respond to Ri’s remarks.

“Just heard Foreign Minister of North Korea speak at UN If he echoes thoughts of Little Rocket Man, they won’t be around much longer!” Trump wrote.

Just heard Foreign Minister of North Korea speak at U.N. If he echoes thoughts of Little Rocket Man, they won't be around much longer!